Waste Utilization Alaska Conservation Practice Job Sheet
Applying the practice Waste utilization components of a conservation plan will include the following information: goals and objectives field and soil map resource inventory (i.e. resource condition, existing structures, facilities, equipment, sensitive areas and setbacks needed manure and/or other waste budget that identifies the destination for all waste produced or used calibration requirements for spreading equipment record keeping requirements emergency plan for leaks or spills guidelines for operation and maintenance
Definition All federal, state and local laws, rules, and Waste utilization is the beneficial use of agricultural regulations governing waste management need to be wastes such as manure and wastewater or other strictly adhered to. organic residues. Operation and Maintenance Purpose Records shall be kept for a period of five years or longer, This practice is part of a conservation management and include when appropriate: system to accomplish one or more of the following: Quantity of manure and other agricultural waste produced and their nutrient content. Protect water quality Soil test results. Protect air quality Dates, location, and amounts of waste application where land applied, and the dates Provide fertility for crop, forage, fiber production and amounts of waste removed from the or forest products system due to feeding, energy production or Improve or maintain soil structure export from the operation. Waste application methods. Provide feedstock for livestock Crops grown and yields (both yield goals and Provide a source of energy measured yield). Other tests, such as determining the nutrient Conditions Where the Practice Applies content of the harvested product. This practice applies where agricultural wastes Calibration of application equipment. including animal manure and contaminated water from livestock and poultry operations; solids and The operation and maintenance plan shall include the wastewater from municipal treatment plants; and dates of periodic inspections and maintenance of agricultural processing residues are generated, equipment and facilities used in waste utilization. and/or utilized The plan shall include what is to be inspected or maintained, and a general time frame for making Benefits necessary repairs. This practice utilizes farm and other wastes as a resource to ensure economic viability and sustainability by maintaining soil health and making the best use of farm inputs. Job Sheet – Waste Utilization (AK-633) July 2009 Page 1 of 10 Considerations Minimize the impacts of odor from land applied wastes by Since phosphorus can accumulate in the soil when using making applications at times when temperatures are cool manure on a regular basis, base application rates on and when wind direction is away from neighbors. phosphorus needs as much as possible and spread materials over a greater number of acres. Apply waste to pasture and hayland soon after cutting or grazing before regrowth occurs. Specifications Site-specific requirements are listed on the specification Nitrogen volatilization associated with land application of sheet. Additional provisions are entered on the job sketch some wastes can be reduced by incorporation of the sheet. Specifications are prepared in accordance with the material within 24 hours. NRCS Field Office Technical Guide.
Injection of liquid waste below the soil surface is the most effective way to reduce odor and volatilization.
Waste Utilization – Job Sheet
Operator: Farm #: Field(s): Tract #: Designed By Date:
OPERATORS GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
Purpose (check all that apply) Protect water quality Provide a source of energy Provide fertility for crop, forage, fiber production Protect air quality and forest products □ Improve or maintain soil structure □ Provide feedstock for livestock
Conservation Practice(s) Utilized to Meet Purpose(s) □ Compost Facility (317) Energy Producing Facility □ Nutrient Management (590) Feed Management (592) □ Manure Transfer (634) Waste Storage Facility (313) □ Other Other
Job Sheet – Waste Utilization (AK-633) July 2009 Page 2 of 10 Waste Utilization – Job Sheet
If needed, an aerial view or a side view of the practice can be shown below. Other relevant information, complementary practices and measures, and additional specifications may be included.
Scale 1"=______ft. (NA indicates sketch not to scale: grid size=1/2" by 1/2")
N
Additional Specifications and Notes: Calibration worksheet is attached
Job Sheet – Waste Utilization (AK-633) July 2009 Page 3 of 10 EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN Emergency action plans may be required to meet current animal waste management regulations. This plan will be implemented in the event that wastes from your operation are leaking, overflowing, or running off the site. You should NOT wait until wastes reach surface waters or leave your property to consider that you have a problem. You should make every effort to ensure that this does not happen. This plan should be available to all employees at the facility, as accidents, leaks, and breaks could happen at any time. 1. Stop the release of wastes. Depending on the situation, this may or may not be possible. Type of system: Possible responses:
2. Assess the extent of the spill and note any obvious damages: Did the waste reach any surface waters?
Approximately how much was released and for what duration?
Any damage noted, such as employee injury, fish kills, or property damage?
Did the spill leave the property?
Does the spill have the potential to reach surface waters?
Could a future rain event cause the spill to reach surface waters?
Are potable water wells in danger (either on or off the property)? 3. Contact appropriate agencies
4. Implement procedures Follow instructions from regulatory and technical assistance agencies to rectify the damage and repair the system. MORTALITY DISPOSAL PLAN
Fire Prevention and Protection
Workers should be made aware of fire conditions on site. Poor site maintenance, worn or defective electrical systems, and welding and cutting may contribute to dangerous situations.
1. Post NO SMOKING signs near fuel storage areas and equipment. Maintain fire fighting equipment in good working order. Have extinguishers inspected as required and recharge after any use. Do not block access to fire equipment.
2. Do not allow open flame around storage tanks. Combustible gases may become explosive. Welding and cutting equipment are potential sources of ignition.
Job Sheet – Waste Utilization (AK-633) July 2009 Page 4 of 10 Safety Hazards Manure storage hazards include gases that are toxic (hydrogen sulfide); asphyxiant (carbon dioxide), corrosive (ammonia), and explosive (methane). Manure systems present hazards from asphyxiation, poisoning, drowning, and machinery entanglement and entrapment. Pump pits and tanks can easily contain poisonous gases that will not be apparent until someone enters the tank and is overcome. With covered pit storages, the danger from gases is most severe when manure is being agitated or pumped out, and after emptying. With open storages and above-ground tanks, the hazard is drowning. Multiple deaths have occurred as a result of failure to follow appropriate procedures for working in these confined spaces. For example, do not enter manure sumps, pits or storage tanks without appropriate safety apparatus and procedures. No tool, pump part, or farm chore is equivalent in value to the cost of a human life!
Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), the most hazardous manure gas, is associated with most fatalities in manure storages. H2S can cause death within seconds at high concentrations. It is colorless and heavier than air, accumulating near the bottom of the storage. Though very low concentrations can be identified by a rotten-egg odor, hydrogen sulfide deadens one's sense of smell, and its odor is often masked by other smells common to livestock facilities. Lethal concentrations are thus difficult to detect. The amount of the gas can increase a thousand fold during agitation and emptying of a manure facility.
Carbon dioxide (CO2), while a nontoxic gas itself, displaces oxygen and therefore can asphyxiate humans and animals. Being both colorless and odorless, carbon dioxide is impossible to detect without gas detection equipment. Because it is heavier than air, it accumulates near the bottom of the storage. Carbon dioxide does not usually reach lethal concentrations unless all ventilation into and around a pit has been eliminated for several hours.
Ammonia (NH3) can severely damage the eyes, throat, and lungs. It combines with moisture in the eyes and respiratory tract to form an alkaline solution that causes severe burns. NH3 is lighter than air and has a strong bleach-like odor. Because of its irritating nature, people usually leave a contaminated area quickly. Therefore it is not suspected to have caused any human deaths. Constant low-level exposure to ammonia, however, can have a discomforting effect on humans and livestock.
Methane (CH4) is a highly flammable and explosive gas. Like carbon dioxide, it is odorless, colorless, asphyxiating, and impossible to detect without gas detection instruments. Methane is lighter than air and readily rises out of storage areas to collect under hoods, roof ridges, and corners. It is most likely to accumulate during hot weather, especially if ventilation is poor. Methane explosions have resulted from someone lighting a torch or from short circuits in electrical wires.
Remember, someone who enters a pit without a self-contained breathing apparatus will pass out almost immediately from these toxic gases or oxygen deficiency. No one should enter manure sumps, pits or storage tanks without appropriate safety apparatus and procedures, even to rescue a person or animal.
Job Sheet – Waste Utilization (AK-633) July 2009 Page 5 of 10 Waste Utilization - Job Sheet
Operation and Maintenance:
Records are kept for 5 years or longer and include: where appropriate:
Quantity of manure and other agricultural waste produced and their nutrient content Soil Test Results
Dates and amounts of waste application where land applied, and the dates and amounts of waste removed from the system due to feeding, energy production, or export from the operation. Waste application method
Crops grown and yields (both yield goals and measured yield) Other tests such as determining the nutrient content of the harvested product Calibration of application equipment The operation and maintenance plan includes the dates of periodic inspections and maintenance of equipment and facilities used in waste utilization. It also includes what facilities/practices need to be inspected or maintained, and a general timeframe for making necessary repairs.
PLANNING CERTIFICATION
This practice is designed and planned according to NRCS AK Standards and Specifications.
______Signature of person preparing plan Date
I agree to install this practice as designed and planned.
Client: Date:
TheJob UnitedSheet –States Waste Department Utilization of (AK-633) Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in its programs on the basis of race, color, nationalJuly 2009 origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs and marital or familial status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) PersonsPage 6 with of 10 disabilities who require alternative means for communication program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact the USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-2791. To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Waste Utilization AK – 633
Owner ______Operator ______Location ______Field #s ______Tract # ______Farm # ______
Program______Contract # ______Acres Planned______
Acres Applied______
PRACTICE CERTIFICATION
This practice was installed and maintained in accordance with the accompanying waste utilization jobsheet and will meet the intended function and purpose as described in the design specification.
[ ] YES [ ] No
The Emergency Action Plan is current and adequate.
[ ] YES [ ] No
Recommendations and Comments:
Operation & Maintenance Periodic monitoring of this practice is essential to determine if storage and handling facilities have adequate capacity, are structurally sound, and are in good working order. CNMPs require periodic review to ensure the nutrient requirements of crops are being met and excess nutrients are not building up in the soil.
Completed by: Date:
Job Sheet – Waste Utilization (AK-633) July 2009 Page 7 of 10 Waste Utilization - Job Sheet WASTE UTILIZATION WORKSHEET Spreader Calibration (using bucket, pan, or tarp) Name ______Date ______
Operator ______Spreader ID ______
Perform the following operations to calibrate solid spreader equipment: Place buckets, pans or tarps in the application area to collect the applied or spread waste material. Spread waste materials over the application area using the spreading pattern normally used in the field. Make sure the spreader is traveling at the speed it typically travels over the collection area. Record engine rpm and gear settings used. Collect and weigh the waste materials and calculate the average application rate. Use this worksheet to record the weights and calculations Note: Use tarps instead of buckets or pans when using dry stack manure or separated solids as the variability in the weight will be less. Data and Calculations ID of bucket, pan, or tarp STEPS A B C D E F 1. Date of calibration test
2. Engine RPM during spreading
3. Gear selected during spreading
4. Weight of empty bucket (lb) =
5. Weight of bucket with waste (lb) =
6. weight of waste (lb) - line 5 – line 4 = 7. Collection area (sq ft) - Area if the top of the bucket, pan or tarp used to collect waste = 8. Waste applied (lb/sq ft) - Line 6 ÷ line 7 = 9. Convert to tons per acre – Line 8 x 21.78 = 10. Average application rate – (tons per acre) – Sum of values in cells A9 through F9 divided by the total number of calibrations completed =
Additional notes:
Job Sheet – Waste Utilization (AK-633) July 2009 Page 8 of 10 Waste Utilization - Job Sheet WASTE UTILIZATION WORKSHEET Spreader Calibration (using full spreader load) Name ______Date ______
Operator ______Spreader ID ______
Perform the following operations to calibrate solid spreader equipment: Determine the weight of the waste materials loaded in the spreader by using truck scales to weigh the spreader equipment when it is empty and full. Spread the load on the field using consistent speed and spreader settings to cover the field uniformly. Spread in a rectangular pattern so the area calculation will be simple. Record engine rpm and gear settings used. Measure the length and width covered by the full load and compute the application rate in tons per acre using this worksheet Note: Use tarps instead of buckets or pans when using dry stack manure or separated solids as the variability in the weight will be less. Data and Calculations ID of calibration test STEPS A B C D E F 1. Date of calibration test
2. Engine RPM during spreading
3. Gear selected during spreading
4. Weight of empty spreader (lb) =
5. Weight of loaded spreader (lb) =
6. weight of waste in spreader (lb) - line 5 – line 4 = 7. Length of spreading area (ft) -
8. Width of spreading area ( ft)
9. Area spread (sq ft) line 7 x line 8 = 10. Waste applied (lbs/sq ft) line 6 ÷ line 9 = 11. Convert to tons per acre – line 10 x 21.78 = 12. Average application rate – (tons per acre) – Sum of values in cells A11 through F11 divided by the total number of calibrations completed =
Additional notes:
Job Sheet – Waste Utilization (AK-633) July 2009 Page 9 of 10 Waste Utilization - Job Sheet WASTE UTILIZATION WORKSHEET Tank Equipment Calibration (using a full tank load) Name ______Date ______
Operator ______Spreader ID ______
Perform the following operations to calibrate solid spreader equipment: Determine the maximum capacity of the tank equipment from the manufacture’s maintenance manual of the owner’s manual for the equipment. Fill the tank and reduce the volume of the tank by the appropriate amount if the tank is not filled to its maximum capacity. Normally a tank spreader is only filled to about 80 % of its maximum capacity, therefore the maximum rate capacity of the tank should be multiplied by 0.8 to reflect the volume of the loaded tank during the calibration exercise. Spread the load on the field using consistent speed and settings to cover the field Note: Use tarps instead of buckets or pans when using dry stack manure or separated solids as the variability in the weight will be less. Data and Calculations ID of bucket, pan, or tarp STEPS A B C D E F 1. Date of calibration test -
2. Engine RPM during spreading -
3. Gear selected during spreading -
4. Maximum rated capacity of the tank (gallons) = 5. Volume of filled tank (gallons) = Line 4 x ___% of tank filled ÷ 100% = 6. Length of spreading area (ft) =
7. Width of spreading area ( ft) = 8. Area spread (sq ft) line 6 x line 7 = 9. Waste applied (gal/sq ft) – Line 5 ÷ line 8 = 10. Convert to gallons per acre – Line 9 x 43,560 = 11. Average application rate – (gallons per acre) – Sum of values in cells A10 through F10 divided by the total number of calibrations completed =
Additional notes:
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